Marc, Google doesn't generate a lot of hype for West Coast Wireless plans. They just files papers to city councils.

PRESS generates a lot hype for themselves to sell stories and advertisement.

Oh that... Cypheros. I didn't think of the issue from such angle, but you are right: there are indeed a ton of softwares preinstalled by OEM already.

My apology to all of you. I got too carried away on my crusade against Microsoft.

Best regards.

Building a brand new OS is not a good idea, at this moment.

We're looking at a TRUE monopolized market here(over 90%, instead of 60% or 30%). Microsoft has serious pricing power. Billions will be wasted right there before any war is fought. We must come in at a different angle.

Companies can stop Microsoft from vertical integrating, which was what Microsoft has been doing for years + the center of our discussion here. Benefit 1, we won't end up with everything Microsoft... forever. Benefit 2, companies can indirectly diminish the role/importance of OS, which reduce the monopoly power. Benefit 3, the market could flourish healthy incentives for innovations.

Oh, I'm not a Firefox fanboy, but I'm indeed a Google fanboy. My comment is biased, of course. I know such statement encourages skirmish, but that's just who I am.

Trust me, Dell won't bundle anything at any amount of money if the software hurts sales. That's our filter number one. Filter number two, money. There is a stiff barrier of entry here. Companies will do cost benefit analysis to determine such investments will justify. If their investment gets uninstalled at the first hour of usage, companies will dump the deal in no time.

Scott, we don't want anti-anything. Look how Sun Microsystem is doing after years of Anti-Microsoft. We want competition to yield decent "FREE" softwares.

Thanks, Reyes.

If they bundle, at least allow companies to COMPETE for those spaces. Consumers get better technology out of it.

I kept repeating this, but... I'm sick of purchasing patches from Microsoft, looking at the same screen for 10+ years is enough. Bring on the Firefox, Google Toolbar, Yahoo Messenger, Skype VOIP, Apple iTune... The big mama at Redmond are too lazy to move (after growing a habit to bury their enemies through exclusive bundling).

Microsoft MSN Messenger? What are they thinking?


Microsoft Outlook Express? What are they thinking?


Microsoft Internet Explorer? What are they thinking?

I find it strange that MICROSOFT has been bundling softwares for decades. Let me see: Media Player, Internet Browser, MSN, Instant Messaging Client, Email program, movie maker, CD authoring, Word Processor... oh let's not forget, an Operating System that hasn't changed much for a decade due to its monopoly grip.

Now that Google and other companies bundle a couple pieces as a defensive move, everyone wants to destroy them.

Help me out here.

#18, You're total right about so much unjustified hype with whatever Google does. As a fan (I admit), I have been going from one blog to another, emailing journalists, trying to get press to tone down. It's quite amazing that such much hype can be generated when "GOOGLE SAID ALMOST NOTHING" since IPO. Hell, they don't even advertise in north America.

One example today, FON received $22 million venture capitals from a dozen investors & banks. The headline from Associated Press reads like this... "Google, Skype in startup to link hotspots" when it should be "Wireless Startup Attracts $22 million Venture Capitals."

Thank you, Engadget. Thank you for being responsible. You're one of the very few news channel out there that actually get the headline right.

The piece is about FON, not Google nor Skype. Mainstream media can be so vicious on grabbing attention sometimes.